Finding limit of a funciton with square roots.

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter tmt1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Limit Roots Square
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding the limit of a function involving square roots as \( x \) approaches 3. Participants explore various methods to simplify the expression and evaluate the limit, engaging in mathematical reasoning and manipulation of the function.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the limit expression and attempts to simplify it using the difference of squares, leading to a new expression involving \( 5x - 14 \) in the numerator.
  • Another participant suggests dividing the numerator and denominator by \( x \) to find their limits separately, but later realizes the limit is as \( x \to 3 \) rather than \( x \to \infty \).
  • A different participant rewrites the limit expression by separating terms and applying the definition of the derivative, indicating a potential approach to evaluate the limit.
  • Another participant provides a detailed step-by-step manipulation of the limit expression, ultimately simplifying it to a form that suggests a straightforward evaluation, asking if others can finish the calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the final evaluation of the limit, as the discussion includes multiple approaches and methods without a definitive conclusion on the limit's value.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' approaches depend on specific algebraic manipulations and interpretations of the limit, which may introduce assumptions about continuity and differentiability at the point of interest.

tmt1
Messages
230
Reaction score
0
I have to find this:

$$\lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14} - \sqrt { x+1}}{x-3}$$

So I do this:

$$\lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14} - \sqrt { x+1}}{x-3} * \frac{\sqrt{6x + 14} + \sqrt{x+1}}{\sqrt{6x + 14} + \sqrt{x+1}}$$

The top part is easy since

$$(\sqrt{a} - \sqrt{b})(\sqrt{a} + \sqrt{b}) $$ is equal to $$a - b$$

So I have

$$\frac {5x- 14}{x\sqrt{6x+4} + x\sqrt{x+1} - 3\sqrt{6x+4} - 3\sqrt{x+1}} $$

From here I am lost.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
tmt said:
So I have

$$\frac {5x- 14}{x\sqrt{6x+4} + x\sqrt{x+1} - 3\sqrt{6x+4} - 3\sqrt{x+1}} $$
Then you divide the numerator and denominator by $x$ and find their limits separately.

Edit: Sorry, I missed the fact that the limit is when $x\to3$; I thought it is when $x\to\infty$.
 
Last edited:
Consider:

$$=\lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14} - \sqrt { x+1}}{x-3}$$
$$=\lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14}-2 - \sqrt { x+1}+2}{x-3}$$
$$=\lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14}-2 - (\sqrt { x+1}-2)}{x-3}$$
$$=\lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac{\sqrt{6x-14}-2}{x-3}-\frac{\sqrt{x+1}-2}{x-3}$$
$$=\d{}{x}\sqrt{6x-14}|_{x=3}-\d{}{x}\sqrt{x+1}|_{x=3}$$

The rest is easy :D
 
Hello, tmt!

Find: $\displaystyle \lim_{x\to3}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14} - \sqrt { x+1}}{x-3}$
$\displaystyle \lim_{{x}\to{3}}\frac {\sqrt{6x - 14} - \sqrt { x+1}}{x-3} * \frac{\sqrt{6x - 14} + \sqrt{x+1}}{\sqrt{6x - 14} + \sqrt{x+1}}$

$\displaystyle \quad=\; \lim_{x\to3}\frac{(6x-14) - (x+1)}{(x-3)(\sqrt{6x-14} + \sqrt{x+1})} \;=\; \lim_{x\to3}\frac{5x-15}{(x-3)(\sqrt{6x-14} + \sqrt{x+1}}$

$\displaystyle \quad=\;\lim_{x\to3}\frac {5(x- 3)}{(x-3)(\sqrt{6x-14} + \sqrt{x+1}} \;=\; \lim_{x\to3}\frac{5}{\sqrt{6x-14} + \sqrt{x+1}}$

Can you finish it now?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
528
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K